In a recent American Express survey of 675 small-business
owners, 80 percent said they had problems with traditional foreign
exchange venues--most involved customer-service complaints.
Specific problems included service reps who lacked foreign currency
expertise and problems tracing transactions.

Using the American Express International Payment Service
(www.americanexpress.com/ip),
U.S. companies can initiate payment in 41 countries, all with the
touch of a button--24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service
allows entrepreneurs to create and update files of clients, and
view and print payment histories. "Whether you're paying
for goods and services manufactured or purchases abroad, our new
service is designed to make that task simpler and more
convenient," explains Steve Flett, senior vice president for
American Express Foreign Exchange Services.

Kurt Samson is a freelance business writer and public
relations consultant in Annapolis, Maryland.